It’s like Christmas in March, exciting to have new ‘plant strong’ dietary choices.

Ordering organic, whole foods online feels decadent, almost naughty;

savoring the fragrant scents as I slowly peel open the foil tops from each spice, my eyes rolling back in my head.

It’s exciting to imagine how new, vegan dishes will entice, delight and beckon as they sizzle in golden olive oil; or exude the creamy goodness of aromatic coconut oil while spices like the whole coriander and cumin seeds pop and crackle, scenting up the whole house.

In the past two decades I’ve learned that our ability to stick with something, be it a long-term relationship, dietary change or lifestyle improvement, is the amount of ‘spice’ and flexibility we sprinkle on it over time.

Notice I don’t mention ‘force’ or ‘control’, but have come to understand that small doses of excitement(newness) seem most complimentary with increasing our chance at success.

My experience has been that when we work in small, manageable ‘chunks’ or layers, we can get to the root of a problem, addressing the mind, body and spiritual connection that keeps us bound in stagnant waters, so we can remove the whole weed from our system, feeling free again.

It’s like a little aquarium where the filter isn’t cleaned regularly, so it gets trapped in old waste and toxic stuff, and eventually stops working all together, allowing the water to become murky and choking out the aquatic life.

When we throw that away and get a new filter, the water then goes through a series of natural cleaning agents, like charcoal, sand, or sponge, pumping and re-filtering, over and over, until all of the gunk is ‘caught’ and the aquarium is clean, ready for new life and enjoyment.

If we look at our holistic journey in this way, then we may be kinder to ourselves, willing to spend some time understanding the value in spending a little more for healthier food choices, grieving old traumas, getting quiet with ourselves so we can hear the Divine inside, giving us guidance and love.

Switching to a Paleo lifestyle last year has been a tremendous benefit, as well as a challenge. I’ve enjoyed the creative way to exclude starches, gluten and many processed items from my diet.
My cholesterol has dropped about 60 points, with my ‘good’ cholesterol now over 100. That is a HUGE success, as my mom’s family makes too much estrogen, leading to very high cholesterol counts, like over 300; and my mom is a tiny woman who barely weighs 120 pounds. It is exciting to see changes, and to get confirmation.

My next layer to peel away is to move to being completely vegan at least five days a week, which means not only me, but also my two teen boys. We will work on it in steps, baby ones, and see what develops.

I will start by explaining in separate posts the spiritual and physical value of each of these foods above, and how they can not only offer better meal choices, but also nourish the needs of our soul.

When we cook to involve all of the senses, not only to we bless ourselves, but all in our family or even workplace who smell or see what we’ve created.

When people come home to the sights and smells of home-cooked food, it nourishes body and soul, strengthens bonds of love, and encourages conversation and intimacy. Children and significant others alike feel secure, special, and nurtured.

Add to that the high vibration of less processed and cleaner foods filled with love from the home chef, and a recipe for overall well-being and happiness is created.

Let’s start by learning about the wonderful addition of umeboshi plum to our table…

The supernatural is discussed in almost every book forum across the world; it is no secret that people are fascinated by what dwells ‘across the veil’. Spirits, sprites, angels, ghosts, demons, animal spirits, the fae, Greek gods, vampires, were wolves – we make these fiction authors millionaires.

As a medicine woman, I see, feel and hear all of these energies, and am amazed; constantly, that the same people who devour these fictional works are terrified to experience them in reality. Whether or not you choose to accept it doesn’t mean these creatures are not living, moving and existing near and right there with you. Now. As you read this post or watch that new episode of ‘Supernatural’ or VC.

I have paid attention to this wave, an insurgence of new age fumbling with the old, ancient texts, language, spells and incantations spun in shadow and with only half truths for guidance. There are careless experiences with Ouija and voodoo, an overall lack of respect for plant medicine, the irreverent use of animal remains, tooth, feather or bone. The lack of love for Nature, the four directions, our Earth Mother, even the air divas, as well as total ignorance in working with the animal kingdom is painfully adding to the daily destruction of the world, and our life, as we have known it.

I hear and see that many talk of being ‘seekers’, yet there is little action. I watch people ‘playing’ with crystals, bragging about spells they’ve learned or done, or how someone is looking for a teacher. Yet, when someone appears, they run the other way, or when a valid reader tells a client personal things and gives honest, earned knowledge to help the client heal and improve his/her life, why is it neither followed nor appreciated?

The integrity and honor of this work is a sacred calling; it did not manifest overnight. When I ‘take’ the pain, it is exactly that; I am transmuting pain, disease, heartache, the entity, miasm, tumor, or cyst and pulling it from your tissue, and releasing it through years of knowledge, experiential study, channeling, and prayer. I always carry it from your energy through mine, and then outward, to the Universal flow. It takes great skill and years of practice to keep these higher vibrations from settling in my body or making me sick, and the work does take its toll over time. You can learn that these pains are lessened through dietary choices, meditation, water, and a move to a less carbon diet. The more raw, plant based food you ingest with love, the better, especially things you grow yourself.

Never underestimate the intimacy and love that flows from plant to owner, especially over time. Plants have a huge capacity for unconditional love, and give of themselves that we may live, in harmony with humans as long as we continue to create or re-discover our connection to the natural world. Plants dance, feel, and even think, with sensitive systems that are more highly developed than our own. The Creator has given us a cure for every disease from the plant pharmacopeia, and it is our duty to curate, protect and resonate with the natural world, both plant and animal.

Once you begin to see the value of these esoteric connections, and learn about how we strengthen these bonds, we are then more able to see clearly the true value of the other humans around us, as well. We become more sensitive to the inner workings of the opposite sex, and can begin to communicate without words, but with the harnessing of energy.

We sense when the other is near, or in danger, or thinking of us. We can prolong or bring on the orgasm of the other or ourselves, and learn ways to intensify the pleasure of both of you with guided imagery and energetic exchange, strengthening the bonds of intimacy, pleasure and connection over time, instead of drifting apart. Through guided meditation, partner work, reiki, Native American healing and other forms of energy work, connections between the spiritual and physical body are developed, strengthened; pulling your authentic self back together, giving you a new view of life. There is a stronger desire to live, a more positive outlook, better health, and vigorous, passionate love relations that are mind blowing.

There is expansive, priceless and much sought after knowledge to be found in taking time to study and reflect on the old way of doing things. The brief pleasure of instant gratification is forgotten once one is saturated in the lasting glow of a developed practice that is mastered over time, with respect and in following sacred principles from the ancient ones.

I am working on a healing crisis in the third chakra, the space between the stomach and belly button. It is in alignment with my current life issues, and I am struggling to create action from my thoughts. Ulcers and GERD are the physical manifestation.

I stood in the Whole foods, and asked for guidance. The picture shows what evolved, and I will just briefly gloss over this powerful mixture.

Aloe Vera is not part of the juicing of the others shown, but an internal supplement of 1/4 cup mixed with 6 ounces fruit juice, twice daily. Extremely valuable and powerful, its gel absorbs internal toxins, helps alkaline the pH for wellness, contains 200 active components, and has 2o minerals. It is a life saver for digestive ills. My pain has been almost non-existent since starting last week. See here for more valuable information,http://sacredsourcenutrition.com/top-12-benefits-of-aloe-vera/

Red cabbage contains 36 different anti-cancer properties, can reduce brain plaque known to cause Alzheimer’s via anthocyanins, which also protect and heal cells. Also great for ulcers and high blood pressure, as has selenium and glutamine. Viatmins C, E, A and suphur are also here. If you have kidney or gall stones, keep this to a minimum, due to oxalates.

Beets – powerhouse of aid to the liver, reduces macular degeneration due to its beta-carotene content, raises good cholesterol while lowering the bad , has betaine which lowers homoysteine, contains folates and the pigment betacyaninis which counteracts cancer growth and inhibits cell mutation. Great for indigestion, constipation gall bladder and heart disease.

Celery is high in Vitamin A in its leaves, with B1,2 and 6 in its stems. Balances the pH, neutralizes acidity, aids in inflammation, curbs urge for sweets.

Carrots are a valuable source of beta carotene, and deserve their own post, as do apples, which I will discuss separately, as apples have amazing healing properties, especially the Mother from apple cider vinegar like Mother Bragg.